The Next Chapter

Why do I love to run every day? It is relatively simple, I run for peace and joy and to be free. You can be free wherever you are; I always try to keep that in my heart. But sometimes it helps to rent out your house and hit the open road.

A couple weeks ago, I was running on my Ashland trails and passed the phrase “Let go” carved into a wall. I feel that was sound advice and sometimes you need to just let go, maybe have a few less possessions, less responsibilities, less money, less cares, giving you space to go deeper in yourself and to discover just a little bit more. I can do that through running but that doesn’t always include my family. My family means everything to me and so we’re exploring the opportunities of life together.

On our drive back from Western States two weeks ago, the idea formed. Three days later my wife gave notice at work. The next day we put our home up for rent on craigslist. Within hours we connected with an awesome ultrarunner moving to Ashland who is now taking good care of our home! Since then we have spent every last minute packing up our home, many a car load to goodwill, several bags of extra running clothes accumulated over the years to a local cross country team, de-cluttering our house and life as we begin the next chapter.

Checking out our trusty The North Face tent!

We are looking forward to camping and being in the silence and sounds of nature. Waking up when the sun shines and going to bed more on Tristan’s schedule or when the sun goes down. A little less TV, a few more books. Some good conversations. Contemplation. Watching my boy grow who is soon going to be a year old and learning from him; living simple and enjoying each moment. Lots of time on the trails – solo long runs, mountain hikes with Tristan on my back, and a sprinkle of family running with all three of us and the BOB stroller to balance it all out.

Ashland is our home and community filled with good friends and my backyard trails. It will be our home base between our travels but it is always fun to explore other places. We’re not sure where this might take us. I have plenty of races and travels to keep us busy over the next months. In between travels, we will be winging it, camping, with everything we need in our car, allowing us to visit towns, trails, and friends all over.

So as we hit the open road, energy courses through me. I’m not sure what is to come but I have my family by my side so life can only get better.

I look forward to meeting old and new friends along the way – maybe I’ll see you out there.

Cheers,
Timothy

“Oh, the places you’ll go…
You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss